LAHORE: The Punjab University Academic Staff Association on Monday observed Black Day on the campus on the call of the Federation of All Pakistan Universities Academic Staff Association against policies of the Higher Education Commission and the Punjab government.

PUASA and FAPUASA Punjab Chapter President Prof Dr Mumtaz Anwar Chaudhry, Secretary Javed Sami and other office-bearers visited various departments.

The teachers were wearing black armbands as a mark of protest against the HEC chairman and his ‘incompetent’ team. The teachers demanded removal of HEC Chairman Dr Tariq Banuri.

Prof Chaudhry urged the Punjab government to immediately fulfill its promises made to the academic fraternity.

He said the HEC team was not resolving the problems being faced by the faculty members in universities and had failed to promote higher education and research culture in the country.

He demanded that the government restore 75 per cent rebate given to teachers. He said the HEC was attempting ‘unnecessary’ and ‘illegal’ interventions in the autonomy of universities.

He said the teachers strongly rejected HEC’s new policies regarding research journals, post PhD experience for appointment of teachers on BPS and admissions at M Phil & PhD level.Prof Chaudhry said teachers from all universities would hold a mega protest demonstration outside HEC Islamabad on Oct 21 (tomorrow).

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2020